IST Plus {internship usa}
IST Plus {internship usa}
IST Plus {internship usa}
A Guide to the online Application
Anywhere on this page you can pull up this menu for easy access - just hit on the help icon at the bottom right of your screen!
Get started on your application
Try to get your application in as early as possible!
Once you have successfully submitted your application for a J1 Visa Programme the process of gaining the legal sponsorship begins.
There are various stages to this - each is extremely important. Please note that at all times we must adhere to US government regulations governing the programme.
This page will guide you through the process of applying for your J1 visa to the USA. Please take the time to read through it carefully - and bookmark it so you can refer back to it during the application process!
A Guide to the online Application
What Happens Next?
Once you've registered on this page, our team will set you up in the system with a CIEE Beacon Account. You'll receive a welcome email from donotreply@ciee.org with your log in details!
Please make sure you refer back to this page throughout the application process as there are no instructions on the actual application!
Supporting Documents you will need to upload to your online Beacon Account
As well as completing the online application, you will also need to upload some supporting documents - including Proof of Univeristy Status, Passport ID page.
Those with a Download link should be downloaded from this page before you start your application
*This can be completed, signed and stamped by any member of staff at your university. If they are unable to complete this, they must provide you with a letter on headed paper (signed) confirming the same information
- If you have recently graduated, you must provide upload either a copy of your Degree Certificate or official confirmation of your award
This must show your real signature - the best thing to do is to print this out, sign and date and then either scan as PDF or take a picture and upload this to the DOCUMENTS section of your online application
*Proof of English Ability is only required for NON UK/ IRISH passport Holders. If your country of citizenship does not have English as its primary language you will need to add this to your application - sorry.
If you can not get this completed, you can request a short interview with one of our team. We will conduct this once you have informed us the application is complete and you are ready to move forward
Important Information regarding Unpaid Internships
If your position is unpaid, you must either provide a bank statement showing access to funds equivalent of at least $1500 US Dollars for each month you plan on being in the United States OR upload a signed Guarantor Letter from a guardian or parent
Inviting your US Supervisor to complete your online training plan
Once you have logged into your online account you will see a blue button marked Training Plan.
This will take you to your online training plan.
Scroll Down to the Section marked MAIN SUPERVISOR/ POC and click the blue INVITE button.
A new window will pop up in your browser.
Enter your Supervisor details and hit the SEND INVITATION button.
You can then return to your part of the application!
Adding Your Profile Picture to your Application
To do this, please click on the grey profile picture box at the top of your BEACON application - you will then be able to upload a suitable picture.
*Please make sure this image is less than 1mb in size
A Step by Step Guide to the Online Application
Signing your Online Training Plan (DS7002 Form)
Once your online training plan has been completed and signed by your US Host Company, you will receive an email from the system notifying you.
BEFORE you sign, you must make sure you enter the PROGRAM DATES.
This will be the earliest date you want to be covered by insurance to enter the USA and the last date you wish to be in the US.
*Please note: You can only apply to arrive up to 30 days prior to your official Intern start date - and you may only remain in the US up to a maximum 30 days After your internship end date
You must make sure these are entered into your online training plan before you sign! Without these dates we are unable to review or start the process for you.
- Your PROGRAM START DATE MUST BE ON OR BEFORE THE DS START DATE PROVIDED BY YOUR HOST ORGANISATION.
- Your PROGRAMME END DATE MUST BE AFTER YOUR TRAINING END DATE or we will not be able to submit your application.
*It's very important you choose the total dates you want to be in the USA . Once you have been approved and legal documents printed and shipped from the US, there will be a charge of at least £50 + any additional month charge for any changes.
Make Sure you Sign YOUR part of the Application!
When your online training plan has been completed and signed by both your host Company and you, you should make sure your application is complete (including those all important supporting documents!).
Then please sign this part as well. You'll need to email our team at apply@istplus.com to let us know you're happy to move ahead before we start the review process!
Our team will not review or move forward with an application unless we have confirmation from you via email your application is complete and is ready to move ahead.
The Process - How long does it take?
Once you have emailed our team to confirm you are ready to move forward with the application, we will email you a payment request.
Once this payment has been made, we will be able to submit your completed application to our colleagues in the USA for processing.
Below is an outline of the process - each application is assessed individually however, so timelines and processes vary
We strongly recommend allowing a minimum 6 weeks for this - and significantly more in the busy periods of the year such as the months leading up to June.
Embassies are much busier during these times, and wait times for interviews will be much longer!
1: Application Complete
Once both parts of your application are complete (your part and your online training plan), please email our team at apply@istplus.com to confirm.
We will then review your application and let you know if anything needs to be revised/ is missing.
Our team will not review or check your application until you have confirmed you have completed this and are ready to move forward with the process.
2: Payment Request
Our team will email you a Payment Request. Once we have confirmation this has been paid, we will submit your application to our colleagues in the USA for the process to start
3: CIEE Review
Your application will show as UNDER REVIEW. CIEE will work with your Host Company to approve your application. You must check your email regularly during this process as this will be how we contact you should we require further information. In some cases, CIEE may ask your Host Company to revise your training plan to being it into line with US Government requirements.
4: Approval
Once approval has been granted (this may take up to 4 weeks), your status on your application will change to ACCEPTED. Within 2-3 working days (not including weekends) of this you will be able to see your SEVIS ID at the top of your online account page. THIS IS SHOWN AS YOUR DS-2019 NUMBER.
Within 3-5 working days of this, your legal paperwork will be sent to our offices in the United Kingdom and we will send these out to you. Using your SEVIS ID (DS-2019#) you can complete the DS-160 form - see our US Embassy Interviews button below
5: Book your Interview/ Receive your Paperwork
Having completed your DS-160 you can move on to booking your face to face interview at the US Embassy. Please note you will need your legal documents in order to attend this (these normally take 5 working days to arrive after your DS-2019# shows in your online account (see Step 4).
*Please bear this in mind when booking your interview date*
6: Attend your Visa Interview
At your face to face interview at your local Embassy or Consulate, you will be required to answer some questions about your trining plan, your plans for when you return home and other details.
You will also be required to provide biometric data (fingerprints).
7: After the Interview
When your passport and visa are returned to you by the US Embassy, you are free to book your flights and travel to the US on or after the date listed as Program Start Date on your Documents and online Training Plan
8: Arriving in the USA
You will need to register in SEVIS and also provide contact tracing information to immigration authorities upon entry to the United States